Fewer visitors stayed in Orange County’s hotels in September with the occupancy rate dipping 2.3 percent compared to last year, according to a report released today by PKF Consulting.

But while hoteliers might be booking fewer rooms, they are making more for the ones that are filled. Room rates jumped 9.8 percent to nearly $139.80.

South Orange County and Newport Beach were the only areas to buck the occupancy rate decline and see an increase in room use. South Orange County’s occupancy rate rose 4.5 percent to 75.5 percent. Hotels in Newport Beach had the second-lowest occupancy rate in the county at 68.5 percent, but that was a 4.4 percent improvement over last year.

South Orange County, with its luxury coastal resorts, had the highest room rates at $211.96 a night, a 16.1 percent increase. The cheapest average rate was $94.91 in the northern part of the county, up 6.4 percent.

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